Kymco AK550

Most maxi scooters carry immense presence through their size and design. The Kymco AK550 is no different in this regard. The scooter measure 2165 mm (L) X 795 mm (W) X 1400 mm (H). There are 15” aluminum wheels on both ends with the front wearing a 120/70 tire while the rear uses a wider 160/60 tire. The design is just as impressive. The styling is not following the usual sedate approach of most scooters in the segment and is stunningly aggressive. The front takes the cake here with its twin angular headlamps flanked by LED running lights and side panel mounted indicators. On top of these is a massive adjustable and vented windshield. The view from the side is characterized by sharp edges and creases. The front end stoops low, so much so that it gives the impression of a purpose-built sports bike. The spine through the middle is as wide as the front apron and will be of concern to riders wearing skirts. Behind it is the usual accommodating and comfortable split seat with a separate backrest for the front rider that is adjustable. The pillion rider gets a split grab rail and foot pegs that can be revealed. This keeps their feet away from the beefy exhaust. The tail end is just as aggressive as the front with LED lighting and angular indicators. Overall the fit and finish is pretty good but needs to be better when the competition is German. There is a lot on offer on the practicality front too. There is keyless ignition along with a knob type control for ignition, kill switch, fuel filler cap and seat release. The instrument display is completely digital and incorporates three different colorful screens. In the center is a circular digital screen that is used by Kymco’s Noodoe system. This connects the rider’s phone to the scooter and can be customized to perform a variety of functions like showing customized information. Flanking this is a tachometer on the left and a speedometer on the right. The quality of switchgear is very nice to touch, and the handlebars are heated. The front apron also provides space for a USB connection with enclosure for storage and the fuel filler. The underseat storage does leave a bit to be desired as it can only fit one full face helmet along with another open face helmet. This despite the scooter’s huge dimensions comes as a disappointment. The rear grab rails can however be used for mounting extra luggage.

At 230 kg this is as heavy as you would expect. But Kymco has made the AK550 very well balanced. The scooter uses an aluminum chassis along with 43 mm USD forks at the front and a horizontal trailing arm in the rear. The suspension is well balanced which becomes very apparent on bad roads. The scooter also carries its weight low down with low unsprung weight thanks to a proper swing arm. This gives the scooter a very well planted feel which also makes maneuvering effortless. It even sports decent lean angles because of which you will find a lot of pictures of its riders dragging their knees on the track.

Power in the Kymco AK550 comes from a 550cc liquid-cooled, parallel-twin, 8-valve DOHC engine that makes 53 hp at 7500 rpm and 55 Nm at 5750 rpm. The engine is mated to a CVT automatic transmission along with the option for two drive modes – Full Power and Rain. Riders can expect an enthusiastic throttle response that is largely uncharacteristic in the segment along with a power curve that is linear and easy to manage in Full Power mode. The rain setting dials down the performance for slower acceleration and a gentler power band. The scooter does pack a punch and speeds can go over and above 140 kmph. But for day to day operation, it is as easy to operate as any twist and go scooter. The fuel tank has a 15 L capacity that makes for good range.

Kymco has provided the AK550 with exceptional braking ability thanks to a twin 270 mm floating disc setup in the front and a single 260 mm disc in the rear. These are clamped by Brembo calipers and aided by twin channel ABS system from Bosch. This setup has a lot of bite which is very well managed thanks to the ABS setup.  

The Kymco AK550 is a quality product through and through. So much so that you would not be able to distinguish it from a more established Japanese brand from a distance. There are a few niggles like the fit and finish and a few materials that could be of better quality. But as a scooter, it really shows how accomplished Kymco has become in the scooter market.